U.S. patent number 8,114,539 [Application Number 12/858,119] was granted by the patent office on 2012-02-14 for battery cartridge having elastic pressing member, and battery module containing the same.
This patent grant is currently assigned to LG Chem, Ltd.. Invention is credited to Dal Mo Kang, BumHyun Lee, Jin Kyu Lee, Jaeseong Yeo, Hee Soo Yoon.
United States Patent |
8,114,539 |
Lee , et al. |
February 14, 2012 |
Battery cartridge having elastic pressing member, and battery
module containing the same
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a battery cartridge configured in a frame
structure to mount a plate-shaped battery cell therein, the battery
cartridge comprising a pair of plate-shaped frames configured to
fix the outer circumference of the battery cell in a state in which
at least one side of the battery cell is open, wherein each of the
frames is provided at the outside thereof with an elastic pressing
member configured to fix a heat dissipation member to the open side
of the battery cell in a tight contact manner upon manufacture of a
battery module.
Inventors: |
Lee; Jin Kyu (Busan,
KR), Yoon; Hee Soo (Daejeon, KR), Lee;
BumHyun (Seoul, KR), Kang; Dal Mo (Daejeon,
KR), Yeo; Jaeseong (Daejeon, KR) |
Assignee: |
LG Chem, Ltd. (Seoul,
KR)
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Family
ID: |
43085421 |
Appl.
No.: |
12/858,119 |
Filed: |
August 17, 2010 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20110064985 A1 |
Mar 17, 2011 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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PCT/KR2010/002695 |
Apr 28, 2010 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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May 11, 2009 [KR] |
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10-2009-0040884 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
429/120 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01M
10/613 (20150401); H01M 10/647 (20150401); H01M
10/6555 (20150401); H01M 50/20 (20210101); H01M
10/625 (20150401); H01M 10/6551 (20150401); Y02E
60/10 (20130101); H01M 10/6567 (20150401); H01M
10/6561 (20150401); H01M 2220/20 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01M
10/50 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;429/120 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Ruddock; Ula C
Assistant Examiner: Chernow; Frank
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Birch, Stewart, Kolasch &
Birch, LLP
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a Continuation of PCT International Application
No. PCT/KR2010/002695 filed on Apr. 28, 2010, which claims the
benefit of Patent Application No. 10-2009-0040884 filed in Republic
of Korea, on May 11, 2009. The entire contents of all of the above
applications is hereby incorporated by reference into the present
application.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A battery module configured in a structure in which battery
cartridges are sequentially stacked in a state in which battery
cells are mounted in the battery cartridges, and a heat dissipation
member is disposed in at least one interface between the battery
cartridges, wherein each of the battery cartridges are configured
in a frame structure to mount a plate-shaped battery cell therein,
each of the battery cartridges comprising a pair of plate-shaped
frames configured to fix an outer circumference of the battery cell
in a state in which at least one side of the battery cell is open,
wherein each of the frames is provided at an outside thereof with
an elastic pressing member configured to fix a heat dissipation
member to the open side of the battery cell in a tight contact
manner upon manufacture of the battery module, wherein the elastic
pressing member is mounted to at least one selected from a group
consisting of an upper side region, a lower side region, a left
side region, and a right side region of the outside of each of the
frames, wherein the heat dissipation member comprises a first heat
dissipation member and a second heat dissipation member, the first
heat dissipation member extends such that one side of the first
heat dissipation member covers at least a portion of outermost
battery cartridge (a) of the battery module, wherein outermost
battery cartridge (a) is one of the outermost battery cartridges of
the battery module, and the other side of the first heat
dissipation member is disposed between the inner battery
cartridges, and the second heat dissipation member extends such
that one side of the second heat dissipation member covers at least
a portion of the outermost battery cartridge (a) of the battery
module in a state in which the second heat dissipation member does
not overlap with the first heat dissipation member, and the other
side of the second heat dissipation member is disposed between the
inner battery cartridges, and the second heat dissipation member
does not occupy the space between the same inner battery cartridges
as the first heat dissipation member.
2. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein each of the
battery cartridges, the battery cell is mounted between the
respective frames in a state in which the at least one open side of
the battery cell protrudes from a corresponding one of the frames,
and the elastic pressing member is mounted at the outside of each
of the frames in a state in which the elastic pressing member has a
height greater than a protruding height of the battery cell at the
at least one open side thereof.
3. The battery module according to claim 2, wherein each of the
battery cartridges, the elastic pressing member is provided at an
outer surface thereof with at least one structure selected from a
group consisting of a depressed part, an embossed part, and a
groove.
4. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein each of the
battery cartridges, the elastic pressing member is made of a
polymer resin exhibiting high elastic compressive force when the
elastic pressing member is pressed.
5. The battery module according to claim 4, wherein each of the
battery cartridges, the elastic pressing member is made of
rubber.
6. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein each of the
battery cartridges, each of the frames is provided at the outside
thereof with a groove, in which the elastic pressing member is
mounted.
7. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein each of the
battery cartridges, the elastic pressing member has a width
equivalent to 10 to 80% of an area of a width of each of the
frames.
8. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the heat
dissipation members are formed in the shape of a plate, and the
heat dissipation members are disposed between the battery
cartridges in a state in which at least a portion of one of the
heat dissipation members is exposed outward from the stacked
battery cartridges.
9. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the heat
dissipation members are air cooling type cooling fins or a water
cooling type cooling plates.
10. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the heat
dissipation members are mounted at the battery module in a state in
which the heat dissipation members are bent to cover sides of the
battery cartridges.
11. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the first heat
dissipation member is configured such that one side of the first
heat dissipation member covers an area equivalent to 1/3 to 1/2 of
an area of the outside of the outermost battery cartridge (a), and
the second heat dissipation member is configured such that one side
of the second heat dissipation member covers an area equivalent to
1/3 to 1/2 of an area of the outside of the outermost battery
cartridge (a) at the opposite side of the first heat dissipation
member.
12. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the other side
of each of the first and second heat dissipation members disposed
between the battery cartridges extends such that the other side of
each of the first and second heat dissipation members is disposed
throughout an interface between the battery cartridges.
13. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the heat
dissipation members are mounted at the battery module such that the
other side of each of the heat dissipation members is located at
one side of each of the plate-shaped battery cartridges.
14. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the outermost
battery cartridge (a) is a first battery cartridge, and the inner
battery cartridges include at least a second battery cartridge, a
third battery cartridge, and a fourth battery cartridge, the other
side of the first heat dissipation member is disposed between the
first battery cartridge and the second battery cartridge, and the
other side of the second heat dissipation member is disposed
between the third battery cartridge and the fourth battery
cartridge.
15. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the heat
dissipation member further comprises a third heat dissipation
member and a fourth heat dissipation member mounted to outermost
battery cartridge (b) of the battery module, wherein outermost
battery cartridge (b) is the outermost battery cartridge of the
battery module opposite of outermost battery cartridge (a), wherein
the third heat dissipation member extends such that one side of the
third heat dissipation member covers at least a portion of the
outermost battery cartridge (b) of the battery module, and the
other side of the third heat dissipation member is disposed between
the inner battery cartridges, and the fourth heat dissipation
member extends such that one side of the fourth heat dissipation
member covers at least a portion of the outermost battery cartridge
(b) of the battery module in a state in which the fourth heat
dissipation member does not overlap with the third heat dissipation
member, wherein the third heat dissipation member and the fourth
heat dissipation member are mounted at the battery module at
positions at which the third heat dissipation member and the fourth
third heat dissipation member do not overlap with the first heat
dissipation member and the second heat dissipation member, and
wherein the fourth heat dissipation member does not occupy the
space between the same inner battery cartridges as the third heat
dissipation member and the third and fourth heat dissipation
members does not occupy the space between the same inner battery
cartridges as the first and second heat dissipation members.
16. The battery module according to claim 15, wherein the outermost
battery cartridge (b) is an nth battery cartridge, and the inner
battery cartridges includes at least an n-1th battery cartridge an
n-2th battery cartridge, and an n-3th battery cartridge, the other
side of the third heat dissipation member is disposed between the
n-1th battery cartridge and the n-2th battery cartridge, and the
other side of the fourth heat dissipation member is disposed
between the n-2th battery cartridge and the n-3th battery
cartridge.
17. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein an insulative
member is mounted between the outside of the outermost battery
cartridge (a) and the heat dissipation members so as to prevent the
outermost battery cartridge (a) from being overcooled.
18. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the battery
module comprises a total of 6 to 12 battery cartridges.
19. The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the battery
module is used as a power source for electric vehicles, hybrid
electric vehicles, or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a battery cartridge having an
elastic pressing member and a battery module including the battery
cartridge, and, more particularly, to a battery cartridge
configured in a frame structure to mount a plate-shaped battery
cell therein, the battery cartridge comprising a pair of
plate-shaped frames configured to fix the outer circumference of
the battery cell in a state in which at least one side of the
battery cell is open, wherein each of the frames is provided at the
outside thereof with an elastic pressing member configured to fix a
heat dissipation member to the open side of the battery cell in a
tight contact manner upon manufacture of a battery module and a
battery module configured in a structure in which a battery cell is
mounted in the battery cartridge.
BACKGROUND ART
As mobile devices have been increasingly developed, and the demand
for such mobile devices has increased, the demand for secondary
batteries has also sharply increased. Among such secondary
batteries is a lithium secondary battery having high energy density
and operating voltage and excellent preservation and service-life
characteristics, which has been widely used as an energy source for
various electronic products as well as for the mobile devices.
Based on their external and internal structures, secondary
batteries are generally classified into a cylindrical battery, a
prismatic battery, and a pouch-shaped battery. Especially, the
prismatic battery and the pouch-shaped battery, which can be
stacked with high integration and have a small width to length
ratio, have attracted considerable attention.
Also, the secondary batteries have attracted considerable attention
as an energy source for electric vehicles, hybrid electric
vehicles, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, which have been
developed to solve problems, such as air pollution, caused by
existing gasoline and diesel vehicles using fossil fuel. As a
result, the secondary batteries are being applied to an increasing
number of applications owing to advantages thereof, and, in the
future, the secondary batteries are expected to be applied to even
more applications and products.
As applications and products, to which the secondary batteries are
applicable, are increased, kinds of batteries are also increased
such that the batteries can provide powers and capacities
corresponding to the various applications and products.
Furthermore, there is a strong need to reduce the size and weight
of the batteries applied to the corresponding applications and
products.
For example, small-sized mobile devices, such as mobile phones,
personal digital assistants (PDA), digital cameras, and laptop
computers, use one or several small-sized, lightweight battery
cells for each device according to the reduction in size and weight
of the corresponding products. On the other hand, middle- or
large-sized devices, such as electric bicycles, electric
motorcycles, electric vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles, use a
middle- or large-sized battery module (which may also be referred
to as a "battery pack") having a plurality of battery cells
electrically connected with each other because high power and large
capacity is necessary for the middle- or large-sized devices. The
size and weight of the battery module is directly related to an
accommodation space and power of the corresponding middle- or
large-sized device. For this reason, manufacturers are trying to
manufacture small-sized, lightweight battery modules.
Meanwhile, when battery cells are connected to one another, in a
state in which the battery cells are stacked, so as to increase the
capacities of battery modules, the dissipation of heat from the
battery cells becomes serious. For lithium secondary batteries,
heat is generated from the lithium secondary batteries during the
charge and discharge of the lithium secondary batteries. If the
heat is not effectively removed from the lithium secondary
batteries, the heat accumulates in the respective lithium secondary
batteries, resulting in the deterioration of the lithium secondary
batteries, and the safety of the lithium secondary batteries is
greatly lowered. In particular, for a battery requiring high-speed
charging and discharging characteristics as in a power source for
electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles, a large amount of
heat is generated from the battery when the battery instantaneously
provides high power.
Also, a water cooling type cooling structure or an air cooling type
cooling structure, which is widely used as a cooling structure for
cooling such a battery module, is generally fixed to the battery
module. As a result, it is difficult to apply various cooling
structures to the battery module as needed.
In connection with this matter, for example, Japanese Patent
Application Publication No. 2004-031281 discloses a cooling
structure of an electrode stacked type battery configured in a
structure in which a pair of laminate films each including a metal
layer and a resin layer are disposed at opposite sides of an
electrode assembly manufactured by stacking a cathode and an anode
in a state in which a separator is disposed between the cathode and
the anode, and edges of the laminate films are fixed to each other
in a tight contact manner, wherein a pair of pushing members push
opposite sides of the electrode stacked type battery, the pushing
members protrude more outward than the outer circumference of the
electrode stacked type battery, the protruding regions of the
pushing members function as heat dissipation members which
dissipate heat generated from the electrode stacked type
battery.
However, the above-mentioned technology has problems in that it is
necessary to manufacture a battery cell case in a complicated
structure and mount the manufactured battery cell case into a
battery, which is troublesome. Also, the above-mentioned technology
is limited to a structure in which an air cooling type cooling fin
is applied upon stacking of batteries to manufacture a battery
module, with the result that it is difficult to use various heat
dissipation members, such as a water cooling type cooling plate or
a non plate-shaped cooling member.
Therefore, there is a high necessity for technology that is capable
of fundamentally solving the above-mentioned problems.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above
problems, and other technical problems that have yet to be
resolved.
Specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a
battery module configured in a structure in which the outer
circumference of a battery cell is fixed by plate-shaped frames in
a state in which sides of the battery cell are open, and elastic
pressing member are mounted to the outsides of the frames such that
various heat dissipation methods are applied to the battery
module.
Technical Solution
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the above
and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a battery
cartridge configured in a frame structure to mount a plate-shaped
battery cell therein, the battery cartridge comprising a pair of
plate-shaped frames configured to fix the outer circumference of
the battery cell in a state in which at least one side of the
battery cell is open, wherein each of the frames is provided at the
outside thereof with an elastic pressing member configured to fix a
heat dissipation member to the open side of the battery cell in a
tight contact manner upon manufacture of a battery module.
Consequently, in a case in which a plurality of battery cartridges
according to the present invention, in each of which a battery cell
is mounted, are stacked in a state in which heat dissipation
members are disposed between the respective battery cartridges,
elastic pressing members increase structural stability of the
battery cartridge stack and, in addition, enable the heat
dissipation members to be effectively fixed to the battery
cartridge stack.
Also, in the battery cartridge structure as described above, it is
possible to apply various heat dissipation members to the battery
cartridges based on thermal characteristics and use environment of
the battery cells, thereby achieving joint use of a battery
module.
Structure of the elastic pressing member is not particularly
restricted as long as the elastic pressing member can be mounted to
the frames to fix the heat dissipation member upon manufacture of a
battery module. For example, the elastic pressing member may be
mounted to at least one selected from a group consisting of an
upper side region, a lower side region, a left side region, and a
right side region of the outside of each of the frames. Preferably,
the elastic pressing members are mounted to the upper side region
and the lower side region of the outside of each of the frames
and/or the left side region and the right side region of the
outside of each of the frames.
Consequently, the heat dissipation member is pressed in a tight
contact manner by the elastic pressing member mounted to the
outside of each of the frames to increase fixation between the heat
dissipation member and each of the frames. As a result, it is not
necessary to use an additional member to fix the heat dissipation
member.
As previously described, the plate-shaped frames may fix the outer
circumference of the battery cell in a state in which at least one
side of the battery cell is open, and the heat dissipation member
may be disposed in tight contact with the open side of the battery
cell. Consequently, heat generated from the battery cell is
transferred to the heat dissipation member, thereby achieving
effective heat dissipation. Preferably, the plate-shaped frames fix
the outer circumference of the battery cell in a state in which the
opposite sides of the battery cell are open, thereby maximizing
heat dissipation efficiency.
In a preferred example, the battery cell may be mounted between the
respective frames in a state in which the at least one open side of
the battery cell protrudes from a corresponding one of the frames,
and the elastic pressing member may be mounted at the outside of
each of the frames in a state in which the elastic pressing member
has a height greater than a protruding height of the battery cell
at the at least one open side thereof.
In the above structure, the elastic pressing member mounted higher
than the protruding open side of the battery cell is elastically
pressed, when a plurality of battery cartridges, in each of which a
battery cell is mounted, are stacked to constitute a battery
module, thereby providing a stably stacked structure. In a case in
which the heat dissipation members are disposed between the
respective battery cartridges, the elastic pressing members assist
the heat dissipation members to be stably mounted to the respective
battery cartridges.
According to circumstances, the elastic pressing member may be
provided at the outer surface thereof with at least one structure
selected from a group consisting of a depressed part, an embossed
part, and a groove.
A material for the elastic pressing member mounted at the outside
of each of the frames is not particularly restricted as long as the
elastic pressing member exhibits elastic compressive force when the
elastic pressing member is pressed. Preferably, the elastic
pressing member is made of a polymer resin exhibiting a physical
property of elasticity. Such a polymer resin may be a material that
is capable of exhibiting high elastic force or may have a structure
or shape that is capable of exhibiting high elastic force. A
representative example of the former may be rubber, and a
representative example of the latter may be foamed polymer
resin.
The elastic pressing members may be mounted to the frames in
various manners. In order to more efficiently mount the elastic
pressing members to the frames, each of the frames may be provided
at the outside thereof with a groove, in which the elastic pressing
member is mounted.
The elastic pressing member may have a width equivalent to 10 to
80% of a width of each of the frames. If the width of each of the
elastic pressing members is too small as compared with the width of
each of the frames, an effect obtained by mounting the elastic
pressing members to the frames may be exhibited. On the other hand,
if the width of each of the elastic pressing members is too large
as compared with the width of each of the frames, the elastic
pressing members, which are elastically deformed when the elastic
pressing members are pressed, cover large portions of the heat
dissipation members, with the result that a heat dissipation effect
may be lowered. Furthermore, the elastic pressing members may
protrude out of the frames when the elastic pressing members are
pressed, which is not preferable. Of course, therefore, the width
of each of the elastic pressing members may exceed the above
defined range unless the above problems are caused.
The frames may be made of various materials. Preferably, the frames
are made of an insulative material or a material upon which
insulative surface treatment is carried out. A representative
example of the former may be a plastic resin, and a representative
example of the latter may be a metal material having an insulative
material coated on the surface thereof. However, the material for
the frames is not limited to the above materials.
The elastic pressing members, which increase structural stability
of the battery cartridge stack and, in addition, enable the heat
dissipation members to be effectively fixed to the battery
cartridge stack when a plurality of battery cartridges according to
the present invention, in each of which a battery cell is mounted,
are stacked in a state in which heat dissipation members are
disposed between the respective battery cartridges as described
above, may be located on the heat dissipation members.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
therefore, there is provided a heat dissipation member configured
to be mounted between battery cells or between battery cartridges
having battery cells mounted therein, wherein the heat dissipation
member is provided with an elastic pressing member configured to
fix the heat dissipation member to an outside of each of the
battery cells in a tight contact manner.
The elastic pressing member mounted at the heat dissipation member
is substantially identical to the elastic pressing member mounted
at the battery cartridge except where the elastic pressing member
is mounted. Consequently, construction and operation related to the
elastic pressing member mounted at the battery cartridge are
identically applicable to the elastic pressing member mounted at
the heat dissipation member.
Meanwhile, in a case in which a battery module having high power
and/or large capacity is needed according to purpose of use, it is
necessary to provide a structure in which a plurality of battery
cells are stacked. In this case, a higher heat dissipation property
is required to secure safety. In accordance with a further aspect
of the present invention, therefore, there is provided a battery
module configured in a structure in which battery cartridges are
sequentially stacked in a state in which battery cells are mounted
in the battery cartridges, and a heat dissipation member is
disposed at at least one interface between the battery cartridges,
thereby achieving effective dissipation of heat from the battery
cells.
In the above structure, the heat dissipation member may be formed
in the shape of a plate, and the heat dissipation member may be
disposed between the battery cartridges in a state in which at
least a portion of the heat dissipation member is exposed outward
from the stacked battery cartridges. That is, at least a portion of
the heat dissipation member is exposed outward from the battery
cartridge stack, with the result that heat generated from the
battery cells is transferred to the heat dissipation member
disposed between the battery cartridges and is effectively removed
through the portion of the heat dissipation member exposed outward
from the battery cartridge stack. The portion of the heat
dissipation member disposed between the stacked battery cartridges
may have a size to completely cover the interface between the
battery cartridges. Alternatively, the portion of the heat
dissipation member disposed between the respective battery
cartridges may have a size to partially cover the interface between
the respective battery cartridges.
Structure of the heat dissipation member is not particularly
restricted as long as the heat dissipation member is disposed
between the respective battery cartridges in a state in which a
portion of the heat dissipation member is exposed outward from the
battery cartridges. For example, the heat dissipation member may be
an air cooling type cooling fin or a water cooling type cooling
plate.
That is, the battery module according to the present invention may
be configured in an air cooling type structure or a water cooling
type structure as needed without great change of processes.
Consequently, various heat dissipation members having different
structures may be easily applied to the battery module according to
the present invention based on how heat is dissipated.
Also, in the battery module according to the present invention, it
is possible to easily dispose heat dissipation members different
from the plate-shaped heat dissipation member between the
respective battery cartridges, thereby achieving effective heat
dissipation by disposing a desired type of a heat dissipation
member between the respective battery cartridges.
In a preferred example, the heat dissipation member may include a
first heat dissipation member and a second heat dissipation member,
the first heat dissipation member may extend such that one side of
the first heat dissipation member covers at least a portion of an
outermost battery cartridge (a) of the battery module, and the
other side of the first heat dissipation member is disposed between
the inner battery cartridges, and the second heat dissipation
member may extend such that one side of the second heat dissipation
member covers at least a portion of the outermost battery cartridge
(a) of the battery module in a state in which the second heat
dissipation member does not overlap with the first heat dissipation
member, and the other side of the second heat dissipation member is
disposed between the inner battery cartridges.
In the battery module with the above-stated construction, two or
more heat dissipation members surround a plurality of battery
cartridges such that the heat dissipation members do not overlap
with each other in a state in which the heat dissipation members
are in contact with at least one side of each of the battery
cartridges, and at least a portion of each of the heat dissipation
members is exposed to the outside of the outermost battery
cartridge, and therefore, it is possible to effectively dissipate
heat generated from the battery cartridges (specifically, the
battery cells mounted in the battery cartridges) by heat conduction
through the heat dissipation member.
Furthermore, the battery cartridges are stacked in a structure in
which opposite sides of the respective battery cartridges are in
tight contact with each other by the elastic pressing members in a
state in which the heat dissipation members are mounted between the
respective battery cartridges, thereby achieving easy heat
transfer. Consequently, it is possible to more effectively cool the
battery cells and/or to reduce temperature deviation between the
battery cells. Also, it is possible to restrain the increase in
size of the battery module including the heat dissipation members.
In addition, it is possible to stack the battery cartridges with
higher integration than battery cartridges using a conventional
cooling system.
In the above description, the sentence "the second heat dissipation
member is mounted at the battery module in a state in which the
second heat dissipation member does not overlap with the first heat
dissipation member" means that these heat dissipation members are
mounted at the battery module in state in which the heat
dissipation members do not overlap with each other while the heat
dissipation members satisfy the above conditions. Consequently, the
first heat dissipation member and the second heat dissipation
member are mounted at the battery module such that the first heat
dissipation member and the second heat dissipation member are
opposite to each other.
The heat dissipation members may be mounted at the battery module
in a state in which the heat dissipation members are bent to cover
sides of the battery cartridges. For example, each of the heat
dissipation members may be bent in a `[` shape.
That is, in the battery module using the battery cartridges
according to the present invention, the heat dissipation members
may have the above-described mounting structure. The heat
dissipation members may have a mounting structure flexible
according to a desired shape by elastic compressive force of the
elastic pressing members although the heat dissipation members are
bent according to the shape and stack thickness of the battery
cartridges.
In a preferred example, the first heat dissipation member may be
configured such that one side of the first heat dissipation member
covers an area equivalent to 1/3 to 1/2 of the area of the outside
of the outermost battery cartridge (a), and the second heat
dissipation member may be configured such that one side of the
second heat dissipation member covers an area equivalent to 1/3 to
1/2 of the area of the outside of the outermost battery cartridge
(a) at the opposite side of the first heat dissipation member.
Consequently, one side of the first heat dissipation member and one
side of the second heat dissipation member, which are opposite to
each other, covers an area equivalent to the entirety or 2/3 of the
area of the outside of the outermost battery cartridge. If the area
of the outside of the outermost battery cartridge covered by the
first and second heat dissipation members is less than 2/3 of the
area of the outside of the outermost battery cartridge, it is
difficult to achieve a heat dissipation effect. Therefore, it is
preferable for the first and second heat dissipation members to
cover 2/3 or more of the area of the outside of the outermost
battery cartridge.
In this aspect, it is more preferable for one end of the first heat
dissipation member to cover an area equivalent to 1/2 of the area
of the outside of the outermost battery cartridge (a) and for one
end of the second heat dissipation member to cover an area
equivalent to 1/2 of the area of the outside of the outermost
battery cartridge (a). Alternatively, one end of the first heat
dissipation member may cover an area equivalent to 2/3 of the area
of the outside of the outermost battery cartridge (a), and one end
of the second heat dissipation member may cover an area equivalent
to 1/3 of the area of the outside of the outermost battery
cartridge (a).
Meanwhile, the other side of each of the first and second heat
dissipation members disposed between the battery cartridges may
extend such that the other side of each of the first and second
heat dissipation members is disposed throughout the interface
between the battery cartridges. That is, the other side of each of
the first and second heat dissipation members disposed between the
battery cartridges covers the entirety of the interface between the
stacked battery cartridges, thereby effectively dissipating heat
generated from the respective battery cartridges through
conduction.
In a preferred example, the heat dissipation members may be mounted
at the battery module such that the other side of each of the heat
dissipation members is located at only one side of each of the
battery cartridges. Even in a case in which each of the heat
dissipation members is located at only one side of each of the
battery cartridges, it is possible to achieve desired heat transfer
through conduction, thereby easily removing heat generated from the
battery cartridges.
Specifically, on the assumption that the battery cartridges stacked
on the basis of the outermost battery cartridge (a) are
sequentially referred to as a first battery cartridge, a second
battery cartridge, a third battery cartridge, . . . , a p.sup.th
battery cartridge, the other side of the first heat dissipation
member may be disposed between the first battery cartridge and the
second battery cartridge, and the other side of the second heat
dissipation member may be disposed between the third battery
cartridge and the fourth battery cartridge.
Therefore, even in a case in which the other side of each of the
first and second heat dissipation members is not disposed between
the second battery cartridge and the third battery cartridge, one
side of the second battery cartridge is in contact with the first
heat dissipation member disposed between the first battery
cartridge and the second battery cartridge, thereby achieving heat
dissipation, and one side of the third battery cartridge is in
contact with the second heat dissipation member disposed between
the third battery cartridge and the fourth battery cartridge,
thereby achieving heat dissipation.
According to circumstances, the other side of the second heat
dissipation member may be disposed between the second battery
cartridge and the third battery cartridge in consideration of the
fact that an amount of heat generated from the battery cartridges
located at the middle region of the battery module. Consequently,
one side of the second battery cartridge is brought into contact
with the first heat dissipation member, and the other side of the
second battery cartridge is brought into contact with the second
heat dissipation member, thereby achieving a high heat dissipation
effect through the two heat dissipation members.
In a preferred example, the heat dissipation member may further
include a third heat dissipation member and a fourth heat
dissipation member mounted to another outermost battery cartridge
(b) of the battery module, the third heat dissipation member may
extend such that one side of the third heat dissipation member
covers at least a portion of the outermost battery cartridge (b) of
the battery module, and the other side of the third heat
dissipation member is disposed between the inner battery
cartridges, and the fourth heat dissipation member may extend such
that one side of the fourth heat dissipation member covers at least
a portion of the outermost battery cartridge (b) of the battery
module in a state in which the fourth heat dissipation member does
not overlap with the third heat dissipation member, and the other
side of the second heat dissipation member is disposed between the
inner battery cartridges.
The outermost battery cartridge (b) is a battery cartridge opposite
to the outermost battery cartridge (a) in the battery module
including the plurality of stacked battery cartridges. That is, the
outermost battery cartridge (a) and the outermost battery cartridge
(b) are located at the opposite sides of the battery module. In the
above preferred example, therefore, the third and fourth heat
dissipation members may be mounted at the outermost battery
cartridge (b) in the same manner as or in a similar manner to the
first and second heat dissipation members of the outermost battery
cartridge (a).
In the above structure, the third heat dissipation member and the
fourth heat dissipation member may be mounted at the battery module
at positions at which the third heat dissipation member and the
fourth third heat dissipation member do not overlap with the first
heat dissipation member and the second heat dissipation member.
The third heat dissipation member and the fourth third heat
dissipation member may be mounted as follows. For example, on the
assumption that the battery cartridges stacked on the basis of the
outermost battery cartridge (b) are sequentially referred to as an
n.sup.th battery cartridge, an n-1.sup.th battery cartridge, an
n-2.sup.th battery cartridge, . . . , a p.sup.th battery cartridge,
the other side of the third heat dissipation member may be disposed
between the n.sup.th battery cartridge and the n-1.sup.th battery
cartridge, and the other side of the fourth heat dissipation member
may be disposed between the n-2.sup.th battery cartridge and the
n-3.sup.th battery cartridge.
Consequently, a desired number of the battery cartridges may be
stacked in a structure in which the battery cartridges are covered
by a plurality of heat dissipation members without overlapping,
thereby achieving a battery module having high power and large
capacity without an additional coolant flow channel as compared
with a conventional art.
According to circumstances, an insulative member may be mounted
between the outside of the outermost battery cartridge (a) and the
heat dissipation members so as to prevent the outermost battery
cartridge (a) from being overcooled. Such an insulative member may
be mounted between the outside of the outermost battery cartridge
(b) and the heat dissipation members so as to prevent the outermost
battery cartridge (b) from being overcooled, in the same manner as
in the outermost battery cartridge (a). The outermost battery
cartridge (a) and the outermost battery cartridge (b) are directly
exposed to the external environment through the heat dissipation
members, with the result that the outermost battery cartridge (a)
and the outermost battery cartridge (b) have a greater cooling rate
than the internal stacked battery cartridges. Consequently, heat
generated from the outermost battery cartridges is also dissipated
through the heat dissipation members by the provision of such an
insulative member, thereby reducing a temperature deviation between
the respective battery cartridges.
The battery module is not particularly restricted as long as a
plurality of battery cartridges are stacked in a state in which the
heat dissipation members are disposed between the respective
battery cartridges to constitute the battery module. For example,
the battery module may include a total of 6 to 12 battery
cartridges. Even in a structure in which the battery cartridges are
stacked, a coolant flow channel for cooling may be configured to
pass along the heat dissipation members, and therefore, it is
possible to substantially reduce the number of coolant flow
channels. For example, the coolant flow channels may be configured
to pass along only the heat dissipation member regions on the
outermost battery cartridges. Alternatively, the coolant flow
channels may be configured to pass along the heat dissipation
member regions on the outermost battery cartridges and heat
dissipation member regions at the top and/or bottom of the battery
module. Consequently, the battery module according to the present
invention may be configured in a thermally stable structure without
a plurality of coolant flow channels.
In the battery module according to the present invention as
described above, it is possible to dispose various kinds of heat
dissipation members between the battery cartridges to which the
elastic pressing members are mounted, thereby providing a desired
cooling structure as needed.
Also, the battery module according to the present invention is
preferably used a power source for devices which require high power
and large capacity and to which various kinds of external force,
such as vibration and impact, are applied, e.g., as a power source
for electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, or plug-in hybrid
electric vehicles.
Advantageous Effects
As is apparent from the above description, the battery cartridge
according to the present invention is configured in a structure in
which the outer circumference of the battery cell is fixed by the
plate-shaped frames in a state in which the sides of the battery
cell are open, the elastic pressing members are mounted at outsides
of the frames, and the heat dissipation members are disposed
between the respective battery cartridges, so as to constitute a
battery module. Consequently, it is possible to use various kinds
of cooling methods and to manufacture a battery module which is
configured generally in a compact structure and which is flexible
in design change of the battery module.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the
present invention will be more clearly understood from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a plan view typically illustrating a battery cartridge
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the battery
cartridge of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a battery module
configured in a structure in which heat dissipation members are
disposed respectively between battery cartridges, one of which is
shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a battery module
manufactured by stacking a plurality of battery cartridges, one of
which is shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a partial front view illustrating a battery module
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating heat dissipation members
shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating a battery module according to
another embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the battery module of
FIG. 7; and
FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a battery module
according to a further embodiment of the present invention.
BEST MODE
Now, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It
should be noted, however, that the scope of the present invention
is not limited by the illustrated embodiments.
FIG. 1 is a plan view typically illustrating a battery cartridge
according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is
a vertical sectional view typically illustrating the battery
cartridge when viewed in a direction A of FIG. 1.
Referring to these drawings, a battery cartridge 100 is configured
in a structure in which a plate-shaped battery cell 300 is mounted
in the battery cartridge 100, and a cathode terminal 330 and an
anode terminal 340 of the battery cell 300 protrude outward from
the battery cartridge 100.
The battery cartridge 100 includes a pair of plate-shaped frames
200 and 200' configured to fix opposite sides of the battery cell
300 at the outer circumference thereof in a state in which the
opposite sides of the battery cell 300 are open. The respective
frames 200 and 200' are provided at left and right side parts of
the outsides thereof with elastic pressing members 210, 220, 210',
and 220', which extend in the longitudinal direction of the
respective frames 200 and 200'.
Also, the battery cell 300 is mounted between the respective frames
200 and 200' in a state in which the open sides of the battery cell
300 protrude from the respective frames 200 and 200'. The elastic
pressing members 210, 220, 210', and 220' are mounted at the
outsides of the respective frames 200 and 200' in a state in which
the elastic pressing members 210, 220, 210', and 220' have a height
L greater than a protruding height 1 of the battery cell 300 at the
open sides thereof. Consequently, when a plurality of battery
cartridges 100 in each of which the battery cell 300 is mounted are
stacked in a state in which heat dissipation members (not shown)
are disposed respectively between the battery cartridges 100, the
elastic pressing members 210, 220, 210', and 220' apply elastic
compressive force to the heat dissipation members (not shown) when
the elastic pressing members 210, 220, 210', and 220' are pressed.
As a result, the heat dissipation members (not shown) are stably
mounted between the respective battery cartridges while the size of
a battery module constituted by the battery cartridges 100 is not
increased by the provision of the elastic pressing members 210,
220, 210', and 220'.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view typically illustrating a battery
module 400 configured in a structure in which heat dissipation
members 500 are disposed respectively between battery cartridges
100, one of which is shown in FIG. 1, as described above.
Referring to FIG. 3, each of the heat dissipation members 500 is
formed in the shape of a plate. Each of the heat dissipation
members 500 may be implemented by an air cooling type cooling fin.
The heat dissipation members 500 are disposed between the
respective battery cartridges 100. The battery cartridges 100 may
be disposed at all of the interfaces between the respective battery
cartridges 100. Alternatively, the battery cartridges 100 may be
disposed at some of the interfaces between the respective battery
cartridges 100.
The battery module 400 is manufactured by stacking the battery
cartridges 100 in a state in which the heat dissipation members 500
are disposed between the respective battery cartridges 100 and
inserting coupling members 451, 452, 453, and 454 through coupling
through holes (not shown) formed in the respective battery
cartridges 100.
The elastic pressing members 210, 220, 210', and 220' mounted at
the outsides of the frames 200 of the respective battery cartridges
100 assist the heat dissipation members 500 to be stably mounted
and fixed to the corresponding frames 200.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view typically illustrating a battery
module manufactured by stacking a plurality of battery cartridges,
one of which is shown in FIG. 1.
Each of the heat dissipation members 500 is partially exposed
outward from the corresponding battery cartridges, with the result
that heat generated from the battery cells 300 during charge and
discharge of the battery cells 300 is transferred to the heat
dissipation members 500 disposed between the respective battery
cartridges 100 and is then discharged to the outside, thereby
achieving high heat dissipation efficiency. Consequently, it is
possible to apply various heat dissipation methods with respect to
the battery module 400 by the provision of the structure in which
the elastic pressing members 210, 220, 210', and 220' are mounted
at the outsides of the frames 200 of the respective battery
cartridges 100 according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a partial front view typically illustrating a battery
module according to an embodiment of the present invention. For
convenience of description, the battery cartridges are simply shown
with various members, such as electrode terminals and elastic
pressing members, constituting the battery module being
omitted.
Referring to FIG. 5, a battery module 600 is configured in a
structure in which four battery cartridges 110, 120, 130, and 140
are stacked in a state in which the battery cartridges 110, 120,
130, and 140 are adjacent to one another, and two heat dissipation
members 510 and 520 are mounted at predetermined positions of the
battery module 600.
The first heat dissipation member 510 is configured such that one
side of the first heat dissipation member 510 covers an area W
equivalent to approximately half an area of the outside of the
first battery cartridge 110, and the second heat dissipation member
520 is configured such that one side of the second heat dissipation
member 520 covers an area W' equivalent to approximately half an
area of the outside of the first battery cartridge 110 at the
opposite side of the first heat dissipation member 510. As a
result, the outside of the first battery cartridge 110, which is an
outermost one of the battery cartridges, is substantially entirely
covered by the first heat dissipation member 510 and the second
heat dissipation member 520.
The first heat dissipation member 510 is bent such that the other
side of the first heat dissipation member 510 is disposed between
the first battery cartridge 110 and the second battery cartridge
120, and the second heat dissipation member 520 is also bent such
that the other side of the second heat dissipation member 520 is
disposed between the third battery cartridge 130 and the fourth
battery cartridge 140. The other side of the second heat
dissipation member 520 extends such that the other side of the
second heat dissipation member 520 is disposed throughout the
interface between the third battery cartridge 130 and the fourth
battery cartridge 140.
As a result, the first heat dissipation member 510 and the second
heat dissipation member 520 are mounted at the battery module 600
in a state in which the first heat dissipation member 510 and the
second heat dissipation member 520 do not overlap with each
other.
Also, an insulative member 101 is mounted between the outside of
the first battery cartridge 110 and the first and second heat
dissipation members 510 and 520 so as to prevent the first battery
cartridge 110 from being overcooled.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view typically illustrating the heat
dissipation members shown in FIG. 5. For comparison, the heat
dissipation members are shown as being disposed in the same
arrangement structure, which is different from the structure in
which the heat dissipation members are mounted at the battery
module of FIG. 5.
Referring to FIG. 6, the heat dissipation members 510 and 520 are
made of metal bendable plate-shaped materials exhibiting high
thermal conductivity. Each of the heat dissipation members 510 and
520 is bent in a `[` shape to cover sides of the respective battery
cartridges (not shown).
Specifically, one side of each of the heat dissipation members 510
and 520 has a relatively short length h such that one side of each
of the heat dissipation members 510 and 520 partially covers the
outside of the outermost battery cartridge (not shown), and the
other side of each of the heat dissipation members 510 and 520 has
a relatively long length H such that the other side of each of the
heat dissipation members 510 and 520 is disposed throughout the
interface between the corresponding battery cartridges.
Meanwhile, the second heat dissipation member 520 has a bending
width D greater than a bending width d of the first heat
dissipation member 510. This is because the other side of the first
heat dissipation member 510 is disposed between the first battery
cartridge 110 and the second battery cartridge 120 as shown in FIG.
5, and therefore, the bending width d of the first heat dissipation
member 510 corresponds to the sum of the thickness of the
insulative member 101 and the thickness of the first battery
cartridge 110; the other side of the second heat dissipation member
520 is disposed between the third battery cartridge 130 and the
fourth battery cartridge 140 as shown in FIG. 5, and therefore, the
bending width D of the second heat dissipation member 520
corresponds to the sum of the thickness of the insulative member
101, the thickness of the first battery cartridge 110, the
thickness of the second battery cartridge 120, and the thickness of
the third battery cartridge 130.
FIG. 7 is a front view typically illustrating a battery module
according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
8 is a perspective view typically illustrating the battery module
of FIG. 7.
Referring to these drawings, a battery module 700 is configured in
a structure in which eight battery cartridges are stacked in a
state in which sides of the respective battery cartridges are in
tight contact with corresponding sides of the neighboring battery
cartridges without air gaps, and four heat dissipation members are
mounted at the battery module 700.
The first heat dissipation member 530 and the second heat
dissipation member 540 are configured such that one side of each of
the first and second heat dissipation members 530 and 540 covers an
area equivalent to approximately half the area of the outside of
the first battery cartridge 110, which is an outermost one of the
battery cartridges, and the third heat dissipation member 550 and
the fourth heat dissipation member 560 are configured such that one
side of each of the third and fourth heat dissipation members 550
and 560 covers an area equivalent to approximately half the area of
the outside of the eighth battery cartridge 180, which is another
outermost one of the battery cartridges.
The first heat dissipation member 530 is bent such that the other
side of the first heat dissipation member 530 is disposed between
the third battery cartridge 130 and the fourth battery cartridge
140, and the second heat dissipation member 540 is bent such that
the other side of the second heat dissipation member 540 is
disposed between the second battery cartridge 120 and the third
battery cartridge 130. Also, the third heat dissipation member 550
is bent such that the other side of the third heat dissipation
member 550 is disposed between the fifth battery cartridge 150 and
the sixth battery cartridge 160, and the fourth heat dissipation
member 560 is bent such that the other side of the fourth heat
dissipation member 560 is disposed between the sixth battery
cartridge 160 and the seventh battery cartridge 170.
The battery cartridges 110, 120, 140, 150, 170, and 180 are
configured such that one side of each of the battery cartridges
110, 120, 140, 150, 170, and 180 is in direct or indirect contact
with a corresponding one of the heat dissipation members 530, 540,
550, and 560. On the other hand, the battery cartridges 130 and 160
are configured such that opposite sides of each of the battery
cartridges 130 and 160 are in direct contact with corresponding
ones of the heat dissipation members 530, 540, 550, and 560.
However, the battery cartridges and the heat dissipation members
may be arranged in various forms as long as the heat dissipation
members can be brought into tight contact with the corresponding
battery cartridges by the heat dissipation members (not shown).
According to circumstances, the heat dissipation members may be
provided at opposite sides of the battery cartridges located at the
middle region of the battery module, at which heat accumulation may
be serious, in a tight contact manner.
Also, insulative members 102 and 103 are mounted between the first
battery cartridge 110 and the first heat dissipation member 530 and
between the eighth battery cartridge 180 and the fourth heat
dissipation member 560, respectively, so as to prevent the first
battery cartridge 110 and the eighth battery cartridge 180 from
being overcooled.
As a result, balanced dissipation of heat from the battery
cartridges is achieved, thereby reducing overall temperature
deviation.
Consequently, the battery module including the battery cartridges
according to the present invention are configured in a structure in
which the heat dissipation members are mounted between the battery
cartridges in various manners, thereby achieving efficient heat
dissipation.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a battery module
according to a further embodiment of the present invention.
In a battery module 400a of FIG. 9, battery cells 300a are
configured in a structure in which a cathode terminal 330 and an
anode terminal 340 protrude upward from each of the battery cells
300a. Consequently, the battery cartridges 100 are applicable to
the battery cells 300a configured in a structure in which the
cathode terminal 330 and the anode terminal 340 protrude from each
of the battery cells 300s in the same direction as well as the
battery cells 300 configured in a structure in which the cathode
terminal 330 and the anode terminal 340 protrude from each of the
battery cells 300 in opposite directions as in the battery module
400 of FIG. 4. The battery module 400a of FIG. 9 is identical in
other structure to the battery module 400 of FIG. 4, and therefore,
a detailed description thereof will not be given.
Although the exemplary embodiments of the present invention have
been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art
will appreciate that various modifications, additions and
substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying
claims.
* * * * *